H-mode: Difference between revisions

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When a magnetically confined plasma is heated strongly, it may spontaneously transition from a low confinement (or L-mode) state to a high confinement (or H-mode) state.  
When a magnetically confined plasma is heated strongly, it may spontaneously transition from a low confinement (or L-mode) state to a high confinement (or H-mode) state.  
<ref>[http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.53.1453 F. Wagner et al, ''Development of an Edge Transport Barrier at the H-Mode Transition of ASDEX'', Phys. Rev. Lett. '''53''' (1984) 1453 - 1456]</ref>
<ref>[http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.53.1453 F. Wagner et al, ''Development of an Edge Transport Barrier at the H-Mode Transition of ASDEX'', Phys. Rev. Lett. '''53''' (1984) 1453 - 1456]</ref>
In the H-mode, the energy confinement time is significantly enhanced, i.e., typically by almost a factor of 2.
In the H-mode, the energy confinement time is significantly enhanced, i.e., typically by a factor of 2 or more.
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0741-3335/29/10A/320 M. Keilhacker, ''H-mode confinement in tokamaks'', Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion '''29''' (1987) 1401-1413]</ref>


This transport bifurcation is the consequence of the suppression of turbulence in the edge plasma, associated with a shear flow layer and an associated edge radial electric field.  
This transport bifurcation is the consequence of the suppression of turbulence in the edge plasma, associated with a sheared flow layer and an associated edge radial electric field.  
The precise mechanism governing this phenomenon is the subject of ongoing studies.
The precise mechanism governing this phenomenon is the subject of ongoing studies.


The steep edge gradients lead to quasi-periodic violent relaxation phenomena, known as Edge Localized Modes (ELMs), which have a strong impact on the surrounding vessel.
The transition occurs spontaneously when a certain threshold value of the heating is exceeded.
 
The steep edge gradients (of density and temperature) lead to quasi-periodic violent relaxation phenomena, known as Edge Localized Modes (ELMs), which have a strong impact on the surrounding vessel.


== References ==
== References ==
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